Disclaimer: I don't own Jericho or "Jungle Love" by the Steve Miller Band.
Jake and Stanley smiled as Jungle Love began playing on the radio. The two had always loved the Steve Miller Band.
"You two love this band way too much," Heather whined to her husband.
Jake laughed. "No we don't," he assured his wife.
"I don't believe you," Heather said, laughing.
"So why don't you like talking about being a war hero?" EJ Green asked his grandson. Jake shrugged, embarrassed.
"He's very modest," Eric said.
"Three generations of Green in war and being elected the mayor is good," EJ complimented.
"Thanks, Grandpa."
The door opened, and Rick Harton, a Jericho resident, stepped in.
"Mayor Green?" he called.
"Yeah"? asked Jake the same time as Johnston.
"Not mayor yet," Gail sing-songed to her son.
"Habit," Jake explained when his father gave him a weird look.
"What's up?" Johnston asked Rick.
"We have a problem with Dina Chaz," Rick explained. Johnston groaned.
"I'll leave now," he promised.
"Who's Dina Chaz?" Jake asked Eric.
"This woman who wants to change things in town," Past Gail explained.
Jake nodded in understanding.
Johnston returned an hour and half later.
Gail was discussing baby things with Mimi and Stanley, while Heather fed Jake.
"So how are you dealing with my death?" a concerned Johnston asked Jake.
"Okay now," Jake answered.
"What does that mean?" Johnston asked Eric. Jake sighed in frustration. This was his past father, the one who didn't know yet that he was proud of his son.
"It means he fell apart after you died," Eric explained.
"Fell apart how?" asked the concerned Past Gail.
"He blocked Dad's funeral and burial completely out of his mind. He doesn't remember it," Eric said.
"He cried over how much Johnston loved Gail," said Mimi.
"He started lashing out at everyone and then cried himself to sleep for weeks," Stanley explained.
"Jake was diagnosed with clinical depression," Gail told them.
"It stems from your death," Mary told Johnston.
"I'm fine now and I'm here," Jake pointed out, annoyed.
"We know you are," Eric said.
"I still get sad sometimes," Jake informed his father, trying to choke down the sobs he always got when thought of his father.
When he realized he wouldn't succeed, Jake bolted to the porch and sat down against the wall. He began to cry.
TBC
The next update should be soon. Look for it.